However, Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said he's hopeful that Harvin could practice Friday, according to SN correspondent Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. If Harvin is able to practice, the Vikings would plan to play him Sunday, according to the newspaper.

It's a big loss for the offensively challenged Vikings. Quarterback Christian Ponder has struggled as the team has lost three of its past four games after starting 4-1. Running back Adrian Peterson has excelled at carrying the load, but he's getting little help in the passing game.

Without Harvin, the Vikings don't have a reliable big-play wideout. So it's imperative that Ponder re-establish his connection with tight end Kyle Rudolph. A favorite red zone and intermediate target earlier in the season, Rudolph didn't record a single catch in two of the past three games.